• The legendary Sea Pigeon won the Ebor in 1978
• Outstanding jockey Lester Piggott won the Ebor a total of five times
• Record breaking trainer Mark Johnston has never landed the prize

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Run on the last day of the annual York Ebor Festival at York Racecourse, The Ebor remains Europe’s richest flat handicap, worth more than double any other flat handicap in Britain and in 2021 will be run at its 2018 prize money level of £500,000.

The race itself has been won by some household name stayers over the years.

The great Sea Pigeon won the Ebor in 1978 to go with his two Chester Cups and two Champion Hurdles, with other notable winners including Further Flight, Purple Moon and Sergeant Cecil.

This famous Class 2 Handicap is open to runners aged four or older and is run over one mile and five furlongs.

Ebor History

If you were wondering where the name “Ebor” comes from then look no further.

Ebor is short for Eboracum, the Roman name for York and the earliest known record of Eboracum can be traced to around 100AD, which is about 60 years after the Romans invaded these shores.

The Ebor Handicap itself was introduced in 1843 by clerk of the course, John Orton, and was initially run over two-miles before it was eventually shortened to a 1m6f contest.

It is a popular race in Great Britain for horse racing tips.

Ebor Handicap Trends

Here are some Ebor trends ranging from 50% to almost 100% probability from the last 20 renewals:

• 18/20 – Aged 6 or younger
• 17/20 – Carried 9st 5lbs or less
• 16/20 – Had won over at least 1m4f before
• 15/20 – Won from a double-figure stall
• 13/20 – Winning Distance - 1 length or less
• 12/20 – Carried 9st 1lb or less
• 12/20 – Aged either 4 or 5 years-old
• 11/20 – Had 3 or more runs already that season
• 10/20 – Unplaced favourites in the horse racing odds
• 10/20– Had run at York before

Ebor Handicap Weights, Ages & Form

• Eighteen of the last 20 winners of the Ebor carried 9st 5lb or less.
• The two exceptions were in 2018 when Muntahaa was assigned a weight of 9st 9lb and still prevailed for John Gosden and Jim Crowley, whilst the latest was just last year when Fujaira Prince  lumped 9st 8lb to victory for Roger Varian and Andrea Atzeni.
• Here are some of the main statistics relating to Ebor weights, age and form in the York race:
• The only winner to carry a higher weight in the modern era was in 1979 when Sea Pigeon was successful under 10 stone.
• Nineteen of the last 20 winners were also aged 6 or younger with the seven-year-old Litigant (33/1) bucking the trend in 2015. The handicap is open to runners aged four and above with the 4-6 age bracket being a particularly sweet spot to follow for those betting online.
• There were numerous three-year-old winners back in the day but they are no longer able to enter the race.
• Four of the last four winners have been aged six – Mustajeer, Nakeeta, Heartbreak City and Fujaira Prince.
• The last four-year-old to win was Tiger Cliff in 2013.
• Five of the last 11 winners have been Irish-trained.
• Nineteen of the last 20 winners had between one and four career wins on the turf and all 20 had made the frame within their last three starts.
• Seventeen of the last 20 had won a race in their last five starts. 
• Course form has not been particularly significant with just 10/20 winners having had a run at York before. 
• Five of the last 20 winners were last time out scorers. 
• Attention should be given to horses that ran at Ascot, Goodwood or Galway last time out. These runners seem to be in the mix more than any others.
• Fourteen of the last 20 winners have been drawn in stall 10 or higher. 
• Three-quarters of the winners in the past two decades have come from stall 14 or higher so it definitely pays to be aware of the draw for this race as a punter.

Previous Ebor Handicap Winners

• 2020 – Fujaira Prince (11/2)
• 2019 – Mustajeer (16/1)
• 2018 – Muntahaa (11/1)
• 2017 – Nakeeta (12/1)
• 2016 – Heartbreak City (15/2)
• 2015 – Litigant (33/1)
• 2014 – Mutual Regard (20/1)
• 2013 – Tiger Cliff (5/1)
• 2012 – Willing Foe (12/1)
• 2011 – Moyenne Corniche (25/1)
• 2010 – Dirar (14/1)
• 2009 – Sesenta (25/1)
• 2008 – All The Good (25/1)
• 2007 – Purple Moon (7/2 fav)
• 2006 – Mudawin (100/1)
• 2005 – Sergeant Cecil (11/1)

Most Successful Ebor Jockey

• Lester Piggott won this race a total of five times: Gladness (1958), Primera (1959), Die Hard (1961), Tintagel II (1970) and Jupiter Island (1983).
• In recent times, Jamie Spencer has been the most successful jockey over the past 20 years with two wins and eight places from 16 rides. His victories came aboard Purple Moon in 2007 and Dirar in 2010.
• The second most successful jockey currently race riding is Frankie Dettori with a win (Willing Foe 2012) and three places from 11 rides.
• Jim Crowley and Tom Queally both have a win and a place apiece, while John Egan has a win and three places from his four previous rides in the Ebor.

Most Successful Trainer In Ebor History

• Tom Dawson is the most successful Ebor trainer, saddling the following five winners:  Godfrey (1844), Mark Tapley (1850), Pax (1860), Makeshift (1862) and Mandrake (1867).
• Fast forward to the last twenty years and the leading trainer has been Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor, who has secured two wins (All The Good 2008 and Willing Foe 2012) and five places from 14 runners.
• Willie Mullins is the second most successful trainers at the Ebor since the turn of the century, with a win and two places from 11 runners to his name.
• Brian Ellison, Amanda Perrett, John Gosden and Aidan O’Brien have all been on the score sheet too.
• Surprisingly Mark Johnston is winless over the past 20 years, despite running 21 horses in the Ebor, while Sir Michael Stoute (15 runners) and Hughie Morrison (11 runners) have failed to hit the board.

In the UK, most of the York races, including the Ebor Handicap will be covered by the broadcasting channel ITV. Keep your eyes peeled for plenty of ITV Racing Tips throughout the York Ebor Festival on this blog.

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*Credit for the main photo belongs to Seth Wenig / Pool via AP*

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 11th August 2021

• Darts is one of the biggest sports played in the Netherlands

• Dutch players consistently feature towards the top of the PDC Order of Merit

• Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld are regarded as the two biggest Dutch darts players of all-time

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If you’re into your darts betting, chances are you’ll recognise most of the names on this list. A popular sport in the Netherlands, darts is easy to understand, entertaining to play, and exciting to watch.

The likes of Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen have been flying the flag for the Netherlands over the years and Dutch dart players compete regularly on the big stage.

With several Dutch names listed in the PDC Championship Order of Merit rankings, it is fair to suggest that the Netherlands is a leading nation when it comes to throwing arrows.

Betting odds often favour Dutch darts players but that isn’t an exact science. Here, we look at some of the greatest darts figures to hail from the Netherlands.

Here you can find the latest outright odds for the PDC championship.

Raymond van Barneveld

Let’s start with one of the greatest Dutch darts players to ever play the game, Raymond van Barneveld.

A five-time world champion, Van Barneveld will go down as one of the largest figures in the sport – he was a huge hit with darts fans around the world throughout his career.

Van Barneveld is one of the first names on any top 10 darts players list. Without a shadow of a doubt, Barney is an absolute legend of the oche.

Now synonymous with ‘Eye of the Tiger’ by Survivor, the greatest Dutch darts player ever is just as famous as footballers and musicians in his native Holland. 

Dirk van Duijvenbode

One of the newer names on the Dutch darts players scene, Dirk van Duijvenbode is famous for his high energy walk on and hardstyle dance music.

Currently on the verge of breaking into the PDC top 20, Van Duijvenbode enjoyed a positive 2020 campaign and he has carried that form into 2021.

At the time of writing, Van Duijvenbode has reached one ranking final – falling short against Gerwyn Price in the 2020 World Grand Prix showpiece.

Previously nicknamed ‘The Titan’, he is now known as ‘The Aubergenius’ after taking a job as an administrative assistant at a local aubergine farm.

Danny Noppert

Hailing from Joure, Danny Noppert has been around for a few years now and the Dutch star has climbed up to number 23 in the PDC world rankings.

Often the bridesmaid but never the bride, Noppert made the transition to the PDC in 2018 after winning a two-year Tour Card by finishing top of the European Order of Merit.

Known by darts fans as ‘The Freeze’, Noppert regularly features at the biggest tournaments but consistency has eluded his hopes of challenging for major honours.

The Dutchman was ranked 47th in the world in 2018 and he continues to go from strength to strength. Still just 30 years old, Noppert could yet break into the top 20.

Vincent van der Voort

Previously known as ‘Grease Lightning’ but now known as ‘Dutch Destroyer’, Vincent van der Voort has been a huge hit with betting fans for nearly two decades.

Like many Dutch players, Van der Voort plays at a fast tempo and he is one of the most entertaining players to watch on the oche.

He has performed admirably at almost every PDC event and is popular with darts fans around the world – the crowd can be heard singing his name when he is on stage.

While his speedy playing style is exciting for viewers, you could label him erratic and that is the main reason why he often falls short in his pursuit of titles.

Jeffrey de Zwaan

As of August 2021, Jeffrey de Zwaan is still just 25 years old and he is widely regarded as the new kid on the block.

De Zwaan upped and left the BDO in 2015 and he has slowly started to make an impact on the PDC – climbing the Order of Merit rankings in recent years.

While he has yet to feature among the top 20 players in the world, De Zwaan is on the verge of breaking into the elite.

‘The Black Cobra’ is one to watch in the coming years and he could be the best Dutch darts player if he continues to progress at the highest level.

Jelle Klaasen

‘The Cobra’ has been playing darts since 2003 and he became the youngest player ever to win the World Darts Championship at just 21 years old in 2006.

Like most of the best players on the circuit, Klaasen made the transition to the PDC in 2007 and has featured at most ranking events – both on and off television.

While Klaasen has slipped down the PDC world rankings in recent years, he remains one of the best Dutch darts players to grace the oche.

Renowned for his exceptionally quick throwing style, Klaasen is still able to compete against his younger rivals. Blink and you’ll miss him.

Michael van Gerwen

Finally, we have Michael van Gerwen. While he has recently slipped to number three in the world, the Dutchman has dominated the sport since Phil Taylor’s retirement.

Undoubtedly the most talented Dutch darts player to throw arrows, Van Gerwen is an absolute joy to watch and he is the Lionel Messi of the darting world.

A three-time PDC world champion, Van Gerwen is still just 32 years old and ‘MVG’ can reign supreme at the top of the sport for many years to come.

It surely won’t be long until we see Van Gerwen back at the top of the PDC Order of Merit, though Taylor’s record of 16 world titles looks safe.

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*Credit for the main photo belongs to Tom Hevezi / AP Photo*

 

• A lot is asked of right-backs in modern football as both defenders and attacking outlets
• Looking at the best right-backs in the world, many combine technical skill with supreme athleticism
• Read below for our 10 top right-backs in world football ahead of the 2021/22 season

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The best right-backs in the world are some of the most exciting players to watch. No longer settling alongside their centre-backs, they can alter Premier League odds with their proactive play and defence-splitting passes.

Just as betting on football has changed in the 21st century, so has the role of the right-back.

Attack is now at least as important as defence. Energy and pace are increasingly relevant given than even in a back four, they often have to operate like a wing-back.

We’ve covered the best Premier League midfielders of all-time. It’s the turn of the right-backs, and the best on the planet ahead of the 2021/22 season. There’s a distinct Premier League and English feel to this list…

Nordi Mukiele

Leipzig’s system doesn’t enable Nordi Mukiele to put up the same offensive numbers as some other wing-backs. He has still shown himself as an accomplished attacking player, and continues to go from strength to strength with the Bundesliga club.

It took some time to settle in after his move from Montpellier, but Mukiele covers an extraordinary amount of ground.

Appearing in midfield and covering the entirety of the right flank, the French full-back is on his way to becoming one of the best at the position.

Spurs fans got a taste of what he can do going forward, too. The 23-year-old was unstoppable down the right as Leipzig flattened the north London club in the Champions League a couple of years ago.

Joshua Kimmich

It’s a bit sneaky putting Joshua Kimmich in here, as he’s predominantly a central midfielder at club level these days.

Kimmich slotted in at right wing-back for Germany at the Euros, though, and he would still be among the best at the position if required to play there throughout a Bundesliga campaign.

There are few footballers as complete as Joshua Kimmich. He can do whatever his manager asks of him. With such versatility can come an unsettling amount of change, but Kimmich has always taken that in his stride.

Being able to play multiple positions isn’t special, but being able to play them at the level Kimmich does really is.

Juan Cuadrado

Juan Cuadrado didn’t hang around long enough to feature much in Premier League predictions. Wildly disappointing at Chelsea, the Colombian returned to Serie A and established himself among the best right-backs in the world.

With 10 assists in Serie A last term, Cuadrado also completed two key passes, 1.4 tackles and 1.4 interceptions. He’s still willing to take people on, too.

Player development is so often about finding the right role and the right team. Cuadrado has done just that with Juventus.

Ricardo Pereira

Just another one in a long line of brilliant Leicester signings, Ricardo Pereira sometimes gets overlooked amid the cluster of exceptional right-backs in the Premier League.

Rock solid at the back and capable of picking a pass in the final third, Pereira has quickly become a crucial player for the Foxes. His injury in 2020/21 was a real blow to Brendan Rodgers’ side.

Limited Champions League appearances shouldn’t work against Pereira. He’s deserving of a place in the top 10.

Thomas Meunier

Now in the black and yellow of Dortmund, Thomas Meunier broke onto the big time relatively late. He was well into his twenties when he landed the big move to PSG, but Meunier has crafted a great career.

With over 50 caps for Belgium, he’s played as an attack-first right-back and often been utilised as a wing-back.

While not the flashiest going forward, Meunier’s size, mobility and delivery from wide positions has made him an ideal complementary piece alongside some premier attacking talents.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

The ascent of Trent Alexander-Arnold coincided with a period of dominance for Liverpool, and it’s no fluke.

Alexander-Arnold is the primary creator in this Liverpool team, slicing defences open from anywhere on the field and producing reliable inch-perfect crosses from dead-ball situations.

Fair questions remain about Alexander-Arnold as a defender. There should be improvement at that end over the coming years.

Even if he remains subpar defensively, the attacking impact is enough to put him in the top five right-backs in world football.

Reece James

Reece James is set to be Chelsea’s right-back for the next decade-plus. James is comfortable in a back three or a back five, and can even slot into midfield or central defence when required.

His sheer size and athleticism is impossible to ignore, but James is also an exceptional tackler with nimble footwork to steal the ball from opponents or to dribble past them.

The sky really is the limit for the 21-year-old, who is already a Champions League winner and an established England international.

Kyle Walker

Winning the duel of England right backs at Euro 2020, Kyle Walker made his way into the Team of the Tournament. Walker was a marauding full-back with defensive issues early in his time at Spurs, but his game has evolved.

The Manchester City man is even used at centre-back occasionally now, and his recovery pace frequently bailed England out in the Euros.

Although not quite as influential going forward as he used to be, Walker remains a consistent performer at the highest level.

Achraf Hakimi

From Real Madrid to Dortmund, Inter and now PSG, Achraf Hakimi is yet another right-back who started out further up the pitch. He provides elite play in the final third as a result, and he’s among the quickest players in world football.

Hakimi was one of the best names on this list. The electric pace catches the eye, but he’s more than a sprinter at right-back.

With an eye for a pass and the close control the burn past opponents, the Morocco international is destined for years at the top.

Joao Cancelo

Used on both sides of the pitch by Manchester City, Joao Cancelo took to the Premier League smoothly.

He really has everything required in a Pep Guardiola full-back. There’s the composure in possession. There’s pace to challenge in behind and make hefty recovery runs. He’s a good crosser, but he offers much more than that in the final third.

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*Credit for the main photo belongs to Francois Mori / AP Photo*

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 9th August 2021